Home / Health / NHS Braces for Disruption as Resident Doctors Strike for 5 Days
NHS Braces for Disruption as Resident Doctors Strike for 5 Days
14 Nov
Summary
- Resident doctors in England to strike for 5 days starting Nov 14
- NHS aims to keep 95% of elective procedures going, but some appointments canceled
- Public urged to use emergency services only if necessary
On November 14, 2025, resident doctors across England are set to begin a 5-day strike, the 13th such walkout since March 2023. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on patient care, with the NHS forced to reschedule many appointments and procedures.
However, the NHS is taking steps to mitigate the disruption. Hospital chiefs have been instructed to keep as many routine operations going as possible, with the aim of maintaining 95% of elective activity. Appointments will only be rescheduled in exceptional circumstances, prioritizing patient safety.
The public is being urged to continue attending their scheduled appointments unless contacted by the NHS and told otherwise. In emergencies, people should still dial 999, while for non-urgent issues, they can use 111 online, visit their local pharmacist, or contact their GP.
The resident doctors' strike action has been a contentious issue, with public opinion shifting in recent months. A YouGov poll earlier this year found that 48% of Britons now oppose the strikes, up from 52% who supported the action last summer. The BMA, the doctors' union, argues that real-term salaries have fallen by a fifth since 2008, but the government maintains that pay has increased in recent years.
